The Old and the Restless - The Egyptians and the Scythians in Herodotus' Histories by Robert J. Hagan

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10. Xerxes and Persian Identity
Of the Persian kings, Herodotus devotes the most time to Xerxes and his war against the
Greeks. It is in Books Seven through Nine that we witness the clash of Persian and Greek arms
and culture which fully fleshes out the character of the Persians; as the end of a novel
accomplishes for its main character. The king’s behavior and the actions of his entourage form
the amalgamation of elements that make up this identity.
In many ways Xerxes’ persona is a shadow of his father’s perceived greatness; he lacks
the vigor and initiative that Darius has shown in his rule. In contrast to Darius’ strong-willed
pursuit of his goals, Xerxes must be persuaded by Mardonius and the Pesistratidae to invade
Greece, surely pushed on by the pressure to expand on his father’s empire as well (7.05-08). And
even when he has supposedly decided on war, he wavers when faced with the advice of his
trusted uncle Artabanus, and is finally convinced by a dream (7.10-19).
Impulse and even instability impact many of his decisions; there is a marked contrast in
the reactions of Darius and Xerxes towards Oebazus and Pythius respectively when they request
special treatment for their sons. Whereas Darius “replied in a friendly fashion,” pretending to
indulge Oebazus before teaching him a lesson, Xerxes immediately launches into an angry tirade
against Pythius and has his favorite son killed in a conspicuous fashion (4.84; 7.38). But Xerxes
is also a sensitive man who is stricken to the point of sobbing at the idea of the shortness of
human life when he looks upon his great army, filled with so many young men who will
someday die (7.46). It is enough to suggest that Xerxes has been pushed into the role of general
and king.